Mary Arden's House

Mary Arden's House is the birthplace of William Shakespeare's mother. She was born here around 1535 when the house would have been about 20 years old. The property has been extensively restored and would have looked quite different from how it is seen today.

Visitors can see how the house has changed through the ages and the tour includes the living room, the dairy, the parlour, the larder and a scullery. The upstairs rooms are empty but analysis of the timbers dates them around 1514.

The outbuildings display horse drawn carts and fully equipped stables. Exhibits in the outbuildings provide a fascinating insight into country life. We visited Mary Arden's House on 'Apple Day' and if you click on the link in the right hand column you can see the traditional costumes and trades that would have been associated with country villages all over the UK until the advent of more modern farming methods.

Stratford upon Avon

Stratford is a major UK tourist destination. The birthplace of William Shakespeare, the world's greatest playwright, it nestles alongside the beautiful river Avon. The town certainly benefits from its famous prodigy. There is plenty to do and see in Stratford upon Avon. Visitors from all over the UK and abroad can be found wandering the historic streets of this unique town.

There has been a settlement at Stratford upon Avon since the Bronze Age. The Domesday book shows Stratford as a manor rather than a village. It belonged to the Bishop of Worcester. Developing into a thriving market town the area prospered. Although William Shakespeare was born, and also died in Stratford, he spent most of his time in London. However, he never turned his back on Stratford and made several investments in property in the town.

As you would expect, Stratford is famous for its theatres. There are actually three in Stratford. Many famous actors have started their careers here. Even if Shakespeare is not the reason for your visit, this beautiful town will inspire you. The town is popular with motorcyclists and street vendors always provide an element of interest to the visitor. The restaurants are excellent and the hotels and guest houses in the area are well used to receiving visitors and catering for their needs.

Fore more photographs of Stratford upon Avon click here or view on You Tube



 

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford upon Avon in 1564. The world's greatest playwright started his humble beginnings here and was probably inspired by the surroundings to which he was accustomed. William's early life in Stratford was not without its problems. William used to poach rabbits and steal from the orchards of wealthy landowners.

William Shakespeare was by no means poor. His father, John Shakespeare was a leading government official in the town. He was also a merchant for local farmers. It was due to his fathers fortunate position that William Shakespeare attended Grammar School, studying for a period of six years, learning latin and preparing the way for his poetry and career as a playwright.

William was only 18 years of age when he married Anne Hathaway. Only six months later in 1585 Anne produced twins. That very same year William left Stratford and his family. William's departure is said to have been caused by a charge of deer poaching brought against him by a wealthy landowner.

Reaching London, William Shakespeare worked at one of the most prestigious theatres in the capital. Working his way up the ranks it was not long before his talent was spotted by the Earl of Leicester's company of actors, known for their performances at the leading theatres in the London.

The rest of the William Shakespeare story is written firmly in the annals of history. He became a wealthy man, returning to Stratford in 1614 to retire due to his declining health. He died in 1616.

Alcester

Alcester is an ancient Roman town in Warwickshire. Close to Stratford on Avon it has many archaeological sites around the town. With peaceful Tudor cottages and other equally historic buildings, Alcester used to be a walled Roman town. Around the middle of the 12th century it was known for its Benedictine Monastery. This is a very picturesque market town where the rivers Alne and Arrow meet. 

Some of the finest buildings in the town are around Butter Street and Malt Hill Lane near the church with its fine Old Rectory Georgian building. The town holds an annual Mop Fair in October which lasts for two days and where the town comes to life with amusements, stalls and a variety of fair entertainment. Every May the town plays host to The Alcester Forest of Arden Food Festival.

With Stratford on Avon so close by and with a wealth of beautiful countryside surrounding Alcester there is a lot to see and do. Ragley Hall is a well known local attraction set in 400 acres of parkland and a great place for families with its adventure playground, maze and woodland walks and picnic areas. Coughton Court, owned by the National Trust is just 2 miles north of Alcester with its beautiful house and grounds and Longbarn village is home to a number of of small businesses nestling in the countryside. 

For more photographs of Alcester click here or view on You Tube

Rugby

Situated on the River Avon there has been a settlement here since the early Iron Age. Known as Tripontium in Roman times it is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Rocheberie but what really puts Rugby on the world map is that it is known as the birthplace of Rugby football.

Essentially a small market town until recent times the centre still has a mix of old and new buildings and you can see how rapid expansion in recent years has changed the town considerably. Most of the older buildings in the town are Victorian. With a population of 70,000 this is the second largest town in the county of Warwickshire.

The Rugby Cement works on the outskirts of the town is now part of the Cemex Company and is one of the largest cement works of its type in Europe. Residents near the large complex are used to waking up in the morning to find their cars covered in a fine layer of cement dust. Some would argue that this blights the landscape on what would otherwise have been a pleasant location to live.

Once in the town though you have wide pedestrian walkways and an abundance of places to eat from small cafes to all manner of world cuisine. There are also a fair number of good pubs in the vicinity. Tourism plays an ever important role in the economy of the town and a good deal of time and effort has been spent making the centre of town more appealing to visitors.

For photos of Rugby click here